Friends of the Heysen Trail

Mansions and Parklands
2024-02-07
Time – 1800 to 2000 hours; Note: Sunset at 2017 hours.

Duration – Not more than two hours. If a majority response from participants is that conditions are unfavourable, the walking distance will be reduced. Please assemble early to ensure a prompt departure by 1800 hours.

Distance – About seven kilometres; therefore unsuitable for children and pets.

Walk Description – A clockwise loop on both sides of a principal road, generally known as the Inner Ring Route. Upmarket private real estate to the north. Revegetated public land to the south.

Leader – Lyndon Grimmer.

Suggested items – Sandshoes, hat, sunscreen, and water.

Meal option afterwards.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Carrick Hill Morning Loop
2024-02-14 07:30 - 10:00 (Australia/Adelaide)
A pleasant, scenic 8km loop walk with great city views.

Initial short steep climb to the Yurrebilla trail then onto the Waite Conservation Reserve Sheoak Loop Trail.

There will be some undulations along the way……..

Morning tea break at the old quarry, complete the loop then we return via the Carrick Hill track.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

FOHT Council Meeting
2024-02-21 17:30 - 19:30, 2024-03-20 17:30 - 19:30
Friends of Heysen Trail Council Meeting
The Friends encourages engagement and interaction across our membership/volunteers. Committees and Members are welcome to attend – if interested please register so our Secretary is aware to expect extra people.

Full Moon Walk Glenelg by Night
2024-02-21 18:00 - 21:00
Taking advantage of the full moon, we will meet for dinner at Fuego by the Sea, 9 Barcoo Rd, West Beach (next to Adelaide yacht club) and then walk it off exploring the Esplanade and Patawalonga.

Details to come.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Wonder Walls of Port Adelaide
2024-02-28 17:45 - 19:30
Walk the back streets of Port Adelaide viewing the street art that has been painted over the years.

It will be a wonder if we don’t get lost!!
There is an App which can be downloaded which will be used throughout the walk.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.specialistapps.pae

Trail Development & Maintenance Leaders Meeting
2024-03-05 09:45 - 15:00
Trail Development & Maintenance Leaders Meeting

Getting Ready for 2024!! Gathering at Belair.

Who needs to register?

Trail Development Committee Members,
Maintenance Section Leaders,
Project Activity Leaders &
Shed Volunteer Crew.

Combined session to coordinate our annual works program, exchange ideas and clarify any issues around the database or policies and interaction with DEW. Program outline will be provided closer to the day.

If you’re interested in supporting our volunteer trail work, although not currently a trained Section/Activity Leader please contact TDC Coordinator Paul Bond: paulb.heysen@gmail.com

Ansteys Hill
2024-03-06 18:00
Join us for a twilight loop walk around Anstey’s Hill Recreational Park – includes some hills, superb views over the Adelaide plains, where we hope to see some local wildlife.

Those interested in dinner after the walk we will be going to the Fox and Firkin Hotel – outdoor seating possible depending on weather.

Contact Karin on 0448 125 592 if you require clarification or additional information.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Wild Dog Glen
2024-03-13 17:30 - 19:30
A walk into the hills above Mitcham.

Steep and challenging in parts (Widely regarded as the hardest of the summer twilight walks)

Please note the 5.30 start time … to enable us to complete the walk before sunset.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Great South West Walk
2024-03-16 - 2024-03-23
Come and join us for a week of hiking the interesting bits of the Great South West Walk. Saturday 16th to Saturday the 23rd March 2024
Two days of travel and 6 days of hiking fun. Plus a rest day with a planned adventurous/fun activity.

Travel to Portland is in your own vehicle, but we will be transported to and from each walk from the NRMA Portland Bay Holiday Park (cliff-top caravan park). Phone 03 5523 1487

Once you have booked onto the walk if you contact this caravan park and mention you are a part of Friends of the Heysen Trail group walking the GSWW They are offering us 7 nights for the price of 6. Also they are placing a hold on cabins for a short time, to assist us. The park has a camp kitchen plus a regular evening fire pit.

On the final Saturday morning as you drive home you may like to join us to see some additional sites in Mount Gambier.

Contact Bill on 0466981945 Paul on 040878772 if you have any queries.

11klms A1 loSome of what we might encounter are – The Blowhole Lookout, Petrified Forest, Bridgewater Bay, Seals, Whales, Dolphins, Cape Nelson – coastal cliffs, diverse birdlife, picturesque walks, Gannets, Cape Nelson Lightstation, Soap Mallee, Rufous Bristlebirds. See Victoria’s floral emblem – pink or white heath, Old timber milling history signs, colourful fungi (autumn and winter growing), Surry River, Rufous Fantail, Rose and Pink & Robins.

A much needed, fun-rest day. Then, a one day walk in Rain forest where you will likely come across animal scats and scratching (Echidna & Potoroo) in the soil along the track edge, Powerful Owls roosting in Blackwood trees, Potoroo (dusk to dawn), Bleeding trees with scratched sap patches – feed posts for gliders. Signs of past fires: Silver Banksia – older woody cones burnt and open/closed, Different seed pods and how they may have responded to bushfire, Blackened bark and fresh green growth of forests regenerating from bushfire, Older trees and burnt bark, Hollows burnt out to create homes for wildlife to shelter or breed in.

Cost is $180 per person. Be quick to book as numbers are limited due to coach size.

A private Facebook group “GSWW with the F.O.H.T” has been created to enable photos to be shared after the walk. This group can also be used before the walk by people wanting to share accommodation, cars, etc.

SPECIAL CANCELLATION POLICY – If you cancel less than 60 days prior to the walk you will not receive any refund unless the vacancy is filled by another. If you are not happy with this policy then please do not book this walk.

Walk Difficulty – The GSWW walks are demanding and suitable for experienced walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain consisting of long-distance trails with some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base. They have a walking time of about 5 to 7 hours and will require a good degree of physical fitness.

SPECIAL RISK – a risk we do not encounter in South Australia that you will have on the GSWW is leeches. Leeches are abundant in the forest sections. An application of insect repellent that contains DEET is also a handy way of warding off the parasites or if you avoid DEET products then a eucalyptus or tea tree based spray will be good protection also.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Kingston Park Sea View
2024-03-17 09:00 - 12:00
Setting off from Historic Kingston house we pass by the Tjilbruke monument and wind our way through the Kingston Coastal reserve before heading south on the Marino Coastal trail taking in the views to Pt Stanvac. Retracing our steps and heading northwards views to Brighton, Holdfast Bay and beyond. Winding up the streets to Marino Conservation Park again with superb southern and northern coastal views to the Marino Lighthouse with a brief stop to enjoy coastal and city views. Heading downwards across Bandon Tce Reserve and Barton Gully back to Kingston House.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Seacliff to Hallett Cove
2024-03-20
Please note that this is a morning walk.

This used to be one of the best urban coastal walks. Until part of the trail was closed because of safety concerns. Some of that closed section is now open again and so it once again makes for a good preseason workout. There is still a section to detour around but that is OK. A mix of hard surface, boardwalk and trails.

There are toilets at each end of the walk. Opportunity for post walk coffee and chat,

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Cleland Morning Dew - Take 2
2024-03-22 08:00 - 11:30
Meet and start as noted below. This is a training walk of approx. 13.1 kms, that includes a steady climb of approx. 347m over 7kms with great views of the city. We will go via the Burnside Track, up the “Goat Track” (at Gate 9), then the Long Ridge Lookout, follow the Long Ridge Track up to the Cleland carpark (toilet and snack stop). Then follow the Perimeter Track (anti-clockwise) around Cleland before stopping at the Cleland Cafe. After the break, back on the Long Ridge Track, then the Winter track onto Waterfall Gully Road. A short road walk then brings us back to the start.

If you have only been walking on the flat over summer, this is an opportunity to brush up on your walking skills both up and down.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Willunga Basin Trail - Sellicks Beach to Moana
2024-03-24
WALK 1: Sellicks Beach to Moana is approx 22km. This is a beautiful walk which involves a variety of cliff and beach walking and as well as a nice section through the Aldinga Scrub.

The whole Willunga Basin Trail winds its way around and across the beautiful Willunga Basin for 130km – taking walkers through a diverse landscape of bushland, forests, vineyards, almond groves, parks, hills and beaches. Walk the complete trail over 6 walks or come and join us for any of the individual sections.

Bring sufficient water for the day plus morning tea and lunch.

This walk will use a bus to take us to the start of the walk and please note that to participate in the walk you need to pay for the bus whether you are using it or not. Please also be aware of FoHT weather policies regarding cancellation of walks.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Mt Barker Rd to Belair
2024-04-06
PLEASE NOTE. This is a point-to-point walk. We will use car-pooling to travel from the meeting point to the walk start point. We will also need to ferry those drivers back to their cars at walks end. While we will utilise the minimum number of vehicles to get the job done, all drivers need to be willing to participate if required. If car-pooling is not for you, then perhaps this is not the walk for you.

This walk covers 18k of the Yurrebilla Trail from Mt Barker Rd to Sheoak Rd Belair. A section of road walking to start with. The balance is on trails. Plenty of undulations to keep the walk interesting.

Contact me on 0412228631 if you need more information, but especially if your running late on the day.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Woorabinda / Sir Mark Oliphant
2024-04-10
A pleasant walk through Sir Mark Oliphant CP and the nearby Woorabinda Bushland Reserves. The CP is a lovely spot to see an abundance of birds and the odd kangaroo in the tranquil forest setting. WBR is made up of 4 separate reserves joined by roads and trails amongst the leafy suburbs of Aldgate & Stirling .The lake at Woorabinda was made in 1922 to provide water for the Steam Trains at the Aldgate Station.Keep an eye out for turtles as we pass by. There’s a couple of hills that will make you breathe a bit heavier than normal, but overall a comfortable walk.

9am start- 4hrs -13;5kms

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Cleland Conservation Park
2024-04-13
Starting from Brock Reserve , Beaumont, we follow the central track up towards the Old Bullock track around the Mt Osmond gold course,then on to Measdays lookout. From there we track along the Yurebilla trail down to the Chinamans track and follow that along its entirety. We will stop for morning tea 2 hours into our walk. Continuing on Chinamans until we get to lodge track and then turn left onto Wine Shanty Track which then takes us onto Longridge track. We’ll turn off onto Winter track and wind our way to Waterfall Gully Road. We’ll walk a way along this road until we veer off to the Bayview track and find our way back to Brock Reserve. The climb to Measday is stiff and there is some undulations along Chinamans as well, but once over this it is steadily downhill from there.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Willunga Basin Trail - Moana to Onkaparinga NP
2024-04-14
WALK 2: Leaving the coast at Moana, we walk the rail wine trail into McLaren Vale, followed by road/reserve through the wine area and finishing with a walk through Onkaparinga River National Park. 21kms

The Willunga Basin Trail winds its way around and across the beautiful Willunga Basin for 130km – taking walkers through a diverse landscape of bushland, forests, vineyards, almond groves, parks, hills and beaches. Walk the complete trail over 6 walks or come and join us for any of the individual sections.

Bring sufficient water for the day plus morning tea and lunch.

This walk will use a bus to take us to the start of the walk and please note that to participate in the walk you need to pay for the bus whether you are using it or not. Please also be aware of FoHT weather policies regarding cancellation of walks.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Annual Hiking Expo - Walking SA
2024-04-14
Walking SA has announced its annual Hiking Expo to beheld at Belair National Park – Main Oval from 9am. (Entry to Belair and the Walk Fest is free)

The Friends of Heysen Trail is a community partner for this event and will have an information stall on site

Walking SA & member groups organise introductory walks on the day; bushwalking organisations and walking clubs have information stalls, along with outdoor retailers and similar groups. There is usually a secondhand clothing & equipment stall. Coffee and food trucks will be on site.

A great day to catch up before the walk season kicks off.

Belair Walk Fest with the Lavender Mob
2024-04-14 08:30 - 13:00
Walk some of the back trails in Belair, including parts of the Sea to Summit, check out some of the waterfalls and walk in the dark at the tunnel, finishing for lunch at the Walking SA Walk Fest, Main Oval Belair National Park.
Bring some morning tea, which we will have at Upper Waterfall.
This walk has some steep hills and steep descents, so a high level of fitness is required.

Annual General Meeting 2024
2024-04-17 18:30 - 20:00
The 37th Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Heysen Trail and Other Walking Trails Inc will be held at 6.30pm Wednesday 17 April 2024 at the Torrens Rowing Club Functions Centre, Victoria Drive, Adelaide.
Call for Council Nominations
Seeking nominations from our members, for election to the following Council positions:

Treasurer
Secretary
Ordinary Council Members

To nominate, please complete the nomination form (page 3 of AGM notice) and provide to The Secretary by 8 April 2024.
Forms may be submitted via email: heysentrail@heysentrail.asn.au; or deliver/post to Friends of the Heysen Trail, Suite 203, Epworth House, 33 Pirie Street Adelaide, 5000.
AGM Agenda

Apologies
Acceptance of Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 5 April 2023
President’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Motion: To amend the wording in clause 11 of the current Constitution to provide clarification in relation to members positions and lengths of service before “standing down”. (for more detail refer to page 2 of AGM notice)
Election of Returning Officer
Election of Councillors

Treasurer
Secretary
Council Members

Appointment of Auditor
Report from Honorary Members Committee
Other Business
Close of Meeting

Registration
Members must register to attend the AGM via the register link above.

Yurrebilla Stage 1 Belair Railway Station to Eagle on the Hill. Approx 16km.
2024-04-20
We will car pool for this walk as it’s only 20 mins drive between start and finish.

This walk begins at the Belair Railway Station then goes through part of the Belair National Park. We make our way down from there, past the Brown Hill Creek caravan park and then back into the hills and up to Eagle on the Hill.

Approx 16km

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Second Valley: A tale of two trails
2024-04-21
The Wilampa Trail & Jones Journey trails in Second Valley Forest were officially opened in December 2021 by Forestry SA and The District Council of Yankalilla.

Covering a network of fire tracks through pine plantations and hardwood forests and beside farmlands this walk combines the two trails.

A pleasant 14km walk on undulating terrain, nothing daunting, so great if you are new to hiking or if your legs have been a little bit dormant over summer.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Autumn Colours
2024-04-24
Following the Heysen Trail from Bridgewater we pass through Mt George CP ,Stirling Golf Course and the Woodhouse Activity Centre. We will then enter The Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens from the bottom carpark where hopefully the Autumn Colours will be on full display. A lovely walk with a couple of undulations to keep you honest.After walking through the gardens we will return along the same trail back to cars.

15kms – 8am – 12pm

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Cleland CP
2024-04-28
Starting from the Southern end of the park we will follow various trails working our way towards the Cleland Wildlife Pk.From here we’ll follow other well graded tracks back towards the finish .No lung busting hills are involved in this walk,just a few undulations.A nice walk to clear the cobwebs out before the season starts in Ernest.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Mt Pleasant Summit
2024-04-28
Come along to enjoy a moderately challenging walk with spectacular scenic vantage points as we wind our way through working pine forests and areas of native flora, culminating in the Mt Pleasant summit. This walk has a variety of terrain including some ups and downs so if you have some basic bushwalking fitness, then this walk could be for you!

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Anstey Hill
2024-05-04
A morning walk around Anstey’s Hill Recreation Park pathways including the original Newman’s Nursery ruins and silver mines.

Be on the lookout for the local wildlife.

There are a couple of hills during the walk.

Sturdy trail shoes or hiking boots preferred due to some single track. Bring morning tea and water for along the trail. Raincoat if the weather requires. 10 km, approx 2-3 hours.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail
2024-05-04 - 2024-05-05
What is the Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail?

A 100km walking trail around the Clare Valley.
The trail will consist of 6 stages, each stage is approximately 1 days walk. We have spread the hikes over 3 weekends.
The trail begins and ends at the Clare Valley Wine, Food & Tourism Centre. All other trail heads are at Wineries
The trail is a moderate grade hiking trail, challenges include;

Crossing Fences (with the use of a stile).
Crossing Flowing Creeks (during the wet winter months).
Steep climbs.
Rocky uneven surfaces & fallen trees.
Snakes during the hot months.

The trail showcases the region’s natural beauty & premium food and wine products, passing cellar doors, restaurants and cafes.
The trail is a public trail available to locals and visitors, users of the trail will be free to complete the entire route or smaller sections at their leisure.
The trail travels on a network of backroads, road reserves & private property.
There is no camping on the trail.
There is lots of great accommodation throughout the Clare Valley where you can base yourselves.
A bus will be organised to get you to the start of the hike each day.

Saturday 4th May – Stage 1
Summary

Distance
23km

Duration
Allow 5-6 Hours

Difficulty
Difficult – exposed, windy and rocky ridges, multiple ridge climbs

Elevation Gain
673m

Start
Clare Valley Wine, Food & Tourism Centre, 8 Spring Gully Rd Clare SA 5453

End
Jim Barry Wines: 33 Craig Hill Rd, Clare SA 5453

Map
Download Here

Description
Stage 1 takes you through the northernmost section of the Trail and includes spectacular panoramic views from Dunns Range.

Starting at the award-winning Clare Valley Wine Food and Tourism Centre (located among the gum trees beside the Clare Caravan Park).

Heading east from the Tourism Centre, carefully cross Main North Road and make your way through the gate into the Clare Show Grounds. Look for the brown Riesling Trail sign which also has a Wine and Wilderness trail marker on it. Follow the markers south along the creek initially and then across to the Riesling Trail.

Turn left onto the iconic Riesling Trail and head north for 800m, before turning into Tim Adams Winery cellar door. Remember that the Riesling Trail is a shared use trail and that there will likely be cyclists and dogs to avoid. This is your last formal toilet stop until Jim Barry Wines at the end of the stage.

From Tim Adams Wines, cross Warenda Road and you will see the first stile of this stage. Roughly follow the creek line before heading up an incline through a pretty section of young eucalypts. Keep your eye out for trail markers positioned amongst the trees. After 1.5km or so, you will be intercepted by Spring Farm Road. Cross straight over to access Dunns Range Road..

Continue onto Dunns Range Road for approximately 1km before reaching the ridge line.

Dunns Range ridge line is arguably the highlight of Stage 1 with a couple of elevation high points of 556m and 546m, providing sweeping panoramic views of the Clare Valley. This is a very rocky and exposed 5.5km section, so make sure you have your windproof jacket with you!

Be sure to stick to the ridgeline and don’t get fooled by the many sheep tracks. After 1.8km along the Range, descend west to cross Farrell Flat Road. Take care when crossing this road as it is busy with traffic. You will then climb back up to Dunns Range and be rewarded with a weather-proof hut where you can not only avail of shelter but also enjoy the superb views over the Clare township (and on a clear day, Snowtown and the northern point of Spencer Gulf) to the west through the full length glass windows on the western and eastern walls. Delight in the sweeping views to the east of the townships of Farrell Flat and Burra.

Once suitably rested, continue north along Dunn’s Range, following the trail markers until you reach a stile, bringing you down off the Range and onto some easy-going unpaved road.

Head north on Blockers Road for 300 meters or so before turning west onto Lewcock Road, then north onto Moccundunda North Road which will bring you to the main White Hutt Road. Cross over, onto the Riesling Trail/Mawson Trail and onto Hubbe Road. Pay attention to the signs here to make sure you keep on the right path.

Stay on Hubbe Road for 600 meters before turning left and briefly heading west onto Koorama Road before quickly turning right through a gate into the historic Methodist Cemetery (situated at Clare Valley Cabins accommodation). Follow a vegetated loop of approximately 1.8km which is full of bird life and will ultimately bring you back out on Koorama Road.

Turn right and continue west along Koorama Road before heading north on Gaelic Cemetery Road. This passes the second historic cemetery on stage 1. After passing the Gaelic Cemetery, turn left onto Roach Road for a short time before heading south onto Noble Road. Keep on Noble Road and follow the 90 degree bend at the top of the hill, which brings you into Stanley Stud Road. Follow Stanley Stud Road down to cross the Hutt River and then cross over Horrocks Highway onto MacDonald Road.

Immediately after the next creek crossing, look for the stile on your left. This stile marks the end of the road walking section – we are back on private land!

Enter into the paddock heading south along the creek line – a contributory to the Hutt River. Following directly south along a fence line with adjoining vineyards you will arrive at another stile. Cross McRae Wood Road to the well-decorated stile on the southern side, which leads you into a windy and well vegetated section. This is well sign-posted and will lead you through to a final stile and hill before descending down into Jim Barry Wines cellar door.

Congrats, that is Stage 1!
Sunday 5th May 2024 – Stage 2
Summary

Distance
17.4km

Duration
Allow 4-5 Hours

Difficulty
Moderate – some hills but mostly undulating & sheltered trail

Elevation Gain
??m

Start
Jim Barry Wines: 33 Craig Hill Rd, Clare SA 5453

End
Jeanneret Wines, 22 Jeanneret Rd, Sevenhill SA 5453

Map
Download Here

Description
Stage 2 kicks off in Clare before heading along the Armagh Creek, then into the higher country of Spring Gully. This section of the Trail showcases sweeping hilltop views, secluded native bushland and wildflower country, plus 4 wineries.
Starting from the iconic Jim Barry Wines, head away from the lure of their cellar door, back out through the stone carpark entrance point. Take a look at the map on the large sign as you begin. Head up the path to the cairn on top of Lavender Hill (as it’s known by the Barry family). It’s steep, but only 100m to the top. Stop for breath and take in the view back towards Clare.
Keep following the single track through gumtree scattered bushland to reach a downhill 2-wheel track that pops you out into a vineyard, and then onto Benbournie Road. Cross over immediately and follow markers along the road. Galahs and rosellas frequent these roadside trees.
Continue over a crossroad where you’ll be able to spot the sign 150m ahead, turning you left and over a stile. On your right is “The Armagh” vineyard (check ‘Experiences’ on the Jim Barry website for more information).
Two rapid stile crossings and you’re on the edge of Armagh Creek. Steep banks and teetering gums may have you tree-hugging as you wind along the creek. Passing thick scrub on your left, look out for resident kangaroos in the open paddock to your right. Continue on, until a hop over a low fence will set you onto St Georges Terrace.
Directly across the road, you’re in another Barry family vineyard. Stay close to the creek and enjoy the vineyard views. The trail follows along the gently winding creek until an unfenced boundary means a sharp left turn onto another vineyard track. Dropping down into the creek briefly, and then over a wider tributary, you’ll find yourself under massive gumtrees (possibly surrounded by large fungi).
You are now on the eastern side of the Armagh Creek, which remains lined by vineyards.. Admire the ancient creek-fed gums, but do keep alert here for a turn between fence posts to your right.
A single chair on your left marks the Crawley property. (The Crawley family once made bricks in the now abandoned kiln you’ll see shortly). Follow a short stretch of dirt track then climb up some wooden steps to your right along the fenceline, before continuing into an open paddock. By keeping close to the creek, you’ll notice wild quince trees and maybe even wild deer.
Jump over the stile onto St Georges Terrace, and you’ll pass a home on your left that was once a hotel. When turning left along Blyth road, glance right and you’ll spot the abandoned brick kiln. Stay left along this 200m section of road, crossing over before the bend and onto shady Emu Flat Road. You’ll continue along this quiet backroad for more than 2 ½ kms. Cross directly over the intersection onto the sheoak-lined Maggie’s Farm Road, and be mindful to stay on the right hand side to avoid driveways.
Follow trail markers up a gentle climb, then be sure to pause and enjoy the hilltop vista. Head down the other side where you’ll reach Spring Gully Road. Cross over into Sussex Squire Wines, where you have a choice of heading 600m up the driveway to their cosy cellar door, or continuing on over the stile and along a meandering paddock track.
After two creek crossings, you’ll briefly pop out onto quiet Leighton Road for 100m, then into some thicker bush again on your left before once again lobbing onto Leighton Road for a further 200m, then turning west onto a secluded rocky track. This track takes you uphill for about 300m before turning into a wider track that meanders past 2 campsites. Continue on until you meet Fitzgerald Road, then turn right. Once you reach the intersection, turn left up the quieter end of Spring Gully Road. Continue on for 1.2kms until you reach Eldredge Vineyards, and turn in the driveway. Here is an opportunity to stop for food, wine, coffee and a warming session by the fire as you take in the view over the dam. Follow trail markers south through Eldredge’s until you again reach the road for a short while. A stile on the right hand side of the road takes you over the fence before reaching Blue Gum Lookout Car Park, where on a clear day you’ll see the sea.
Turning back into Spring Gully Conservation Park, you’ll likely be in wildflower heaven during spring. Check the signage en route and see how many rare orchids and stringy bark trees you can spot. The Cascades waterfall provides a very small detour from the trail, and while rarely flowing fast (if at all), it allows a generous view of the valley below and the Blyth Plains further afield.
The Trail through this section of the Conservation Park mostly coexists with the Lavender Trail. A steep descent takes you through more bushland country – and past a dam – into the alluring Jeanneret Winery.
BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Raeville to Locks Ruin to Bowman Park
2024-05-04 - 2024-05-05
Raeville to Locks Ruin -This walk follows dirt roads into the small town of Georgetown and beyond past Hiskeys Hut. The trail then follows undulating fence lines through Sams Hills.

Locks Ruin to Bowman Park – An easy walk, predominantly along roads and road reserves, this section takes us through the town of Crystal Brook, then follows the Crystal Brook itself to historic Bowman Park.

Walk Difficulty – The Heysen Trail walks are demanding and suitable for experienced walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain consisting of long-distance trails with some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base. They have a walking time of about 5 to 7 hours and will require a good degree of physical fitness.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Lavender Trail E2E3
2024-05-04 - 2024-05-10
The Lavender Federation Trail is a 325km long walking trail through diverse countryside traversing the eastern flanks of the Mt Lofty Ranges.

It begins at Murray Bridge and traverses the Barossa, Goyder, Mid North and the Clare Valley regions to Clare through the townships of Murray Bridge, Tungkillo, Dutton, Eudunda, Waterloo, Manoora, Mintaro and Watervale.

The 325 km Lavender Federation Trail will be covered with 16 walks in 2024

– 3 x 1-week blocks.

Accommodation will be based in Murray Bridge, Mannum, Kapunda and Clare.

Participants will need to book their own accommodation in the various areas as per the walk program.

Week 1: May -Sat 4th -Fri 10th (Travel Day Fri 3rd /Rest Day Tue) Based Murray Bridge Marina C.P. move to Mannum on Rest Day

Week 2: July- Mon 1st – Sat July 6th (Travel Day Sun 30th / Rest Day Wed) Based Kapunda C.P.

Week 3: Aug – Sun 4th to Friday 9th (Travel Day Sat 3rd/ Rest Day Wed) Based Clare C.P.

When making Bookings at Caravan Parks – Call the parks and state “Lavender Trail Group” – Kathy Wright as some sites and cabins are on hold for group

Though Mainly Easy the walks are between 5-6 hours long – about 20 km and there are some sections that traverse steep rocky, uneven ground and many creeks (usually dry).

A solid level of fitness and experience walking over consecutive days is necessary.

The Lavender Federation Trail is developed and maintained by SARTI (South Australian Recreation Trails Incorporated) We encourage those who register to join SARTI – $10 to support their maintenance of the trail.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.
